Fifty years have sped by, haven’t they? I won’t be at the reunion to catch up, but wanted to share a few reflections and many thanks with classmates and others reflecting on reunions.

When we were in school, students with disabilities were just starting to be integrated (as we called it then) into public schools. In many ways it paralleled the situations described in Hidden Figures. As the first blind student to graduate from the Kalamazoo Public Schools, I felt the fear of failure, the need to break barriers, the pressures of being a role model, and the dual minority statuses of being both blind and a woman. High school teachers gave me role models of people who bloomed where they were planted. They cared about their students and in most cases tried to accommodate my learning differences long before there were laws requiring it or courses to teach them how to do it. Fellow students gave me friendship, help when requested and relatively little bullying. I was lucky enough to find my niches, like chess club and honors classes. I was a nerd before the word was invented.

I went off to Michigan State, scared stiff about being able to make it. My dream of being a physicist morphed into being a clinical psychologist. Those skills of finding friends and a niche and giving my work 110% effort honed in high school carried me through a rewarding career. I worked at four universities as a faculty member, administrator and psychologist. In retirement, I’ve focused on giving back to the community by serving on boards, guest lecturing, writing three books and advocating on disability issues. Partly because I didn’t have children to raise and educate, I’ve been able to start some philanthropic projects including a statue in honor of guide and service dogs, a pet food program to take pet food and supplies to elderly and disabled in the community, some awards for children’s books and good journalism about disability issues and a fund called Access Eau Claire to help local non-profits meet access needs of their participants. In retirement I’ve gone back to playing some bridge, taken up Trivia Crack with a vengeance, joined four book clubs and become more active in my parish. I love having the time to connect with people over a cup of tea or a Facebook post.

Living with blindness and starting in middle age with fibromyalgia has been challenging, but also rewarding in many ways. I wrote my most recent book Occupying Aging: Delights, Disabilities and Daily Life to share tricks of the trade with the 50% of people over sixty-five who will develop disabilities. Among other things, I’ve learned much about interdependence—both giving and taking help. I’ve come to have pride in and gratitude for the full life I’ve had, disabilities included. I’ve learned to notice the positive, and find the humor in some of the tough interactions around my disabilities. Patience with myself and others as we try to be humane with each other is still a work in progress for me.

To have a little fun with the Billboard Top 100 songs for 1967, in closing, I send out “To Sir with Love” to our teachers. I’ve got to “Tell It Like It Is”, I’ve got “Respect” for each of you. We each went “Up, Up and Away” in our own way. I hope each of you can say “My Cup Runneth Over” as I can. “I Can See for Miles” and I see each of you “Groovin’” into the next part of life. I send all my best wishes to you.

I’d love to hear your “Reflections” on your fifty years!

schneiks@uwec.edu

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Kathy, the adventure of surviving to our 50th high school reunion comes with doing things that you have no idea how to do, and overcoming the “impossible”. I was fortunate to have a number of good examples in my life, my parents, a few good friends of indomitable character, my high school love who became my wife, and my comrades in arms. When I felt overwhelmed, trapped, exhausted and out of luck I would think back to those people who I knew who had not only survived but thrived, an cheerfully so. You were an inspiration to a young man crawling through a mine field at night, again when middle aged traveling to every third world terrorist hot spot to repair jet engines. I would often think of your cheerful, helpful nature, when I needed inspiration and realized that happiness was a choice! I choose to be strong, to be gracious, and cheerful. Thank you for being one of my teachers.

Kathy although during my time at Loy Norrix I never had the chance to get to know you. I moved in 1966 to the Grand Rapids area so I did not graduate with you. My first reunion for Loy Norrix ( our 35th) I got in touch with several people I attended classes with. Since then I have been to all of our reunions and stayed in touch with Facebook. Through Facebook I have read your posts anf have gotten to know you. I bought your book To The Left of Inspiration to better understand what you went through and to better understand who you are as a person. You are someone who anyone could be proud to call you a friend. Happy 50th reunion.

Kathy,
You were the first Loy Norrix girl I danced with who graduated with us in 1967. My sister and I took a white glove ballroom dancing class on Wednesday night with you when we were maybe 9 or 10. I had hoped to surprise you at our reunion. I remember we managed to avoid the corners called to win an illumination dance at our end of the year dance. I also remember going to your home and playing chess with you. Over the years I have told dozens and dozens of people of that game. I’m sure you are quite a chess player now. I’m sorry in the two years I was at Loy Norrix I didn’t engage you. I might remember we took a Mr. Feldt math class together. You have lived a very impressive life but I am not the least surprised.
I graduated U of M in Architecture and had a rewarding career located in the west coast concentrating on residential design. Married a gal with three kids and had 2 together and now have 8 grand kids. thirty six years and counting. We live in Bellingham Washington on a 100 year old farm. We enjoy sailing through the San Juan islands when we can. I paint and draw.
It is clear you have had a full life and have no doubt been an inspiration to all that have known you. I will be looking up your books to read. Health and happiness in the years to come.
Best, Doug Laing

I enjoyed your impressive and well written history, and certainly do remember you from Mrs. Ensfield’s English class. I remember listening to your little “kajunker” taking notes in braille — which gave the rest of us a clue as to when WE should be taking notes! (I’m sure there’s a more proper name for that machine.) What a remarkable and positive life you have led/are leading!

I also graduated from MSU (advertising) then married Bill Shipley (in the class ahead of us) worked for six years in advertising at The John Henry Company in Lansing, then had three kids (now have six grandkids.) We divorced after 14 years, as Bill came to terms with his sexuality. We all get along in our disjointed family, and we all fly down to vacation with Bill and David in their Florida “resort” home. Lose a husband; gain a brother…

I later worked for various horticulture related associations and foundations, doing some writing and graphic design, newsletters…

I’ve always stayed active in theatre (continuing my Kalamazoo Jr. Civic Theatre, Kalamazoo Community Youth Theatre and those choir shows at Loy Norrix) and met my second husband doing a play together. We celebrate our 25th anniversary this summer. He had two grown children so I added three more grandchildren on his side. One of my sons moved to North Carolina, but all the rest are in the Lansing area. Lots of babysitting over the years!

I’m now semi-retired-ish but work as secretary of the Board at Riverwalk Theatre, and graphic designer of their newsletters and programs — and I’m “the GLUT lady” (Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre) sending out emails to a Google Group of over 850 with reviews and news of local shows and auditions. (www.greaterlansingtheatre.net) I have been in over 80 shows, my most recent favorite being the role of Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein. (Listen to “He Vas My Boyfriend” on YouTube; it’s a semi-scandalous departure from the Chloris Leachman version in the non-musical movie version.)

Anyway, good to hear from you. We are attending the reunion, as we are not that far from Kalamazoo. My 93 year old mother is still there, in assisted living, so we can take the occasion to visit her, too. Thanks for your report and best wishes for your future.